Why I’m No Longer Pursuing a “Copywriting” Career
Over the last two days, I burned through 87 pages & 237 minutes of recording from Shaune Clarke’s Client Marketing System. (Not because of copywriting content addiction relapse, but because I need to submit the “homework” next Wednesday!)
I can’t give away too much, obviously… but I think Shaune won’t mind if I share one little insight…
Positioning Strategy: Stop calling yourself a “copywriter” and promote yourself to “marketing consultant.”
Three reasons:
1. Copywriting clients perceive more value in the word “consultant” than “copywriter.” A copywriter just writes copy… a consultant also strategizes how to use that copy (timing, medium, the works.)
2. Because your copywriting clients hold you (as a marketing consultant) in higher esteem, you call more of the shots… you are a “partner” in a business relationship, not a contractor with a gig.
3. Most important of all, you can ask for more money. Marketing consultants demand more money than “writers.” Simple as that.
Of course, you must abandon the “I just write copy” mentality in order for this to work.
I will say this…
The clear-cut step-by-step techniques revealed to me so far, in week one of Shaune’s copywriting coaching program, fill me with a tremendous confidence. I can land copywriting clients in less than a month… without a copywriting client testimonial or previous success story to my name.
Just promoted myself to “consultant”,
Colin Y.J. Chung | REALITYcopywriting.com
P.S. Shaune Clarke’s six-week Copywriting Client Marketing course complements his “how to write” copywriting coaching program. It’s designed to help you land $1,000.00 to $5,000.00 writing gigs with small business owners quickly. Read more about it here…
http://www.realitycopywriting.com/secretary-turned-copywriter/
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4 Responses to “Why I’m No Longer Pursuing a “Copywriting” Career”
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October 9th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
“Marketing consultant” sounds a lot better to the ladies too. A tip for single guys out there.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:16 am
As soon as I read the words, “Stop calling yourself a copywriter and promote yourself to marketing consultant,” there was only one thought in my mind:
Right on.
I think of myself as a “business and marketing strategist,” but it’s very much in line with the message of this post. I seem to have taken a liking to the word “strategist” because it seems more…cunning–like a person who carefully plans a move and executes it with precision.
Which made me think about whether I should change the name of my site, or come up with a different one that has the word “business strategist” in it.
But then again, I don’t think people really know what one is, so I’d have to educate them, and I’m not sure that I want to do that.
Something to think about.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:23 am
The only problem with this is that you don’t want to be seen to be making false claims. To be a professional marketing consultant involves working at a high level within an organisation, planning long-term strategy for either a product or the company. There is a lot more to marketing than copywriting, which is just one part of the marketing communications mix. What about the product, the price, the place, and the other parts of the promotional plan? To be a “consultant” requires so much more than just a name change - at the very least a professional marketing qualification and experience across different industries. By extending your knowledge and experience in promotional activities you could perhaps call yourself a “marketing communications consultant”, but making wider claims could lead you into hot water.
October 11th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hi Colin … great article.
I regularly find small business clients with fees between $5,000 to $10,000. I position myself as a Marketing Consultant but essentially most of what I do is Direct Response Copywriting.
What took my career another step further was developing my own unique SYSTEM which I titled ‘Attraction Marketing System’. This demonstrates to clients that there is a step-by-step process to go through.
Definitely position yourself as a Marketing Consultant first.
Rod Moore
Profit Minute